Young people across NSW will have access to expanded digital mental health support thanks to a $1.5m investment from the NSW Government. The Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) platform, designed by youth mental health organisation Orygen, will be embedded in eight eligible youth mental health services across NSW between now and 30 June 2022.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the evidence-based digital intervention was designed to provide instant access to specialist support for people during a challenging time.

“This is all about connecting young people with online resources that they can use to improve their mental health and wellbeing as well as connecting them with a network of peers and mental health clinicians,” said Mrs Taylor.

“For those who need more intensive support, the platform will also help young people engage with clinical services face-to-face for immediate and ongoing mental health support.”

Mrs Taylor said the application would also lighten the load for clinical services which have been inundated by increased demand.

“We know that services are under pressure, young people will currently wait between six to eight weeks for a psychologist appointment at headspace, so it’s vital we continue to connect young people to a range of help.”

The most platform can be accessed 24/7 from a range of devices including mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers.

If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services: · Lifeline 13 11 14 · Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 · NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

NSW CWA Forbes Evening Branch meetings have been disrupted like everything else this year with the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and the necessary restrictions that have come with it to keep our communities safe. The August monthly meeting, however, was able to take place but members of the CWA Forbes Evening Branch were disappointed to hear what we had all been expecting. Confirmation that many of the community events members had been looking forward to participating in during August, September and October were cancelled or postponed to 2022.

Community events such as Birth to Kinder Reading DownTown Day (postponed), the local Forbes PA & HA Show (cancelled), the Rural Women’s Gathering (postponed) and Grazing Down the Lachlan were all postponed or cancelled.

We were able to listen to two guest speakers, Amanda Dunn and Eleanor Falkiner from Inland Rail. An overview of the project was followed by a more detailed explanation about the works on the line from Stockinbingal to Parkes.

Members were able to ask questions and get clarification on specific issues at the end of their presentation. Members appreciated this opportunity to hear specific info about how Forbes would be impacted. Thank you Amanda and Eleanor.

CWA events such as the Oxley Group Council Meeting and the International Country of Study event that was to be held in Dubbo were also cancelled. Not to be daunted by a worldwide pandemic, NSW CWA Head Office organised for this event to go online via a zoom meeting where Forbes Evening Branch members Robyn Miller, Heather Mackinnon and Sue Cunningham joined with over 85 other CWA members to discuss the Country of Study for 2021-22, Malaysia. The Malaysian Acting High Commissioner to Australia, Mr Mohd Fareed Zakaria, and senior officials from the Malaysian Consulate including representatives for Agriculture, Culture, Tourism talked about all things Malaysian, giving us a great insight into their country. A Culinary expert also discussed popular spices and foods Malaysians enjoy which will assist us greatly in preparing for our branch’s International Dinner to be held in 2022.

We all look forward to our next get together in October… hopefully. Stay safe all. Forbes Evening Branch CWA

Starting this week school, early childhood, TAFE NSW, Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university staff can access the Qudos vaccination hub in Homebush for Astra Zeneca vaccinations as well as 35 walk-in clinics in Western NSW.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said tens of thousands of vaccinations have been reserved exclusively for education staff, with vaccinations one of the best lines of defence against the virus.

“The Qudos hub is complimented by 35 walk-in clinics in western NSW, and countless more clinics, GPs and pharmacies across regional NSW who are taking bookings,” Ms Mitchell said.

“As we prepare for a staged return to school from 25 October, and holding HSC exams from 9 November, vaccinating all staff is essential to increase safety and minimise disruption.

“I’m pleased to see that large numbers of the teaching workforce have already come forward to be vaccinated. Vaccinating staff, along with stringent school restrictions including mask wearing, will help make schools as safe as possible when students return.”

From 8 November 2021, all NSW school and preschool staff will be required to have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

“With more supply entering the system I am hopeful we can create even more opportunities for staff and students to be vaccinated.”

The Department of Education will continue to work with NSW Health to prioritise vaccinations for all staff across NSW, as well as HSC students over the coming weeks. Walk-in locations and booking details for education staff in regional areas are available at the following link: https://wnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-information/covid-19-vaccination

The NSW Government this week announced an additional $3.9 billion in funding, including $1.5 billion from the Commonwealth, as part of its COVID-19 economic support package providing ongoing assistance to businesses and individuals affected by current lockdown restrictions across the State.

This additional funding will extend the successful JobSaver program and Micro-business Grant and continue rent relief incentives.

Additional relief for businesses will also be provided with further reductions
in payroll tax as well as allowing eligible businesses to defer their payroll tax payments, due from July 2021 through to December 2021, until the 14th January 2022 with 12-month interest free repayment plans to be available.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this further $3.9 billion in ongoing support would be vital to help keep businesses in business and people in jobs.
“We are giving businesses, employees and families across the State certainty they can access the financial help needed to get them through,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We know business and communities are doing it tough and this ongoing support will not only help get them through the depths of the pandemic but will also provide them with a springboard to bounce back once restrictions ease.
“We will continue to stand by businesses and individuals and provide the support needed. We will also be there on the other side as we emerge from lockdown and head towards recovery.”

The NSW Government has now committed $7.7 billion in COVID-19 support measures, with a further $3.4 billion from the Commonwealth, bringing the total assistance for businesses and individuals to more than $11 billion.

Older people, the LGBTIQ community and people living in regional NSW are among the at-risk groups who will now have improved access to mental health support thanks to the NSW Government’s Suicide Prevention Fund.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said that $8 million in funding has been allocated to six organisations committed to engaging with communities known to have higher rates of suicide.

“We know that there are some groups of individuals who are at greater risk of suicide due to issues such as past trauma, stigma or isolation,” Mrs Taylor said.

“These experiences not only destabilise their mental health and sense of connectedness, they also make it extremely hard to ask for support. This is all about encouraging safe conversations around suicide and suicidal behaviour so people in these priority groups know how and where to access the help that is right for them.”

The NSW Government is also in the final stages of identifying an Aboriginal-owned organisation to deliver targeted suicide prevention activities to First Australians.

The funded services and activities are ACON, Anglican Community Services, HealthWise – NE/ NW Health, Grand Pacific Health, Suicide Prevention Australia and Wellways Australia. The $8 million investment is in addition to the $87 million To-wards Zero Suicides investment. Towards Zero Suicides is a NSW Premier’s Priority.

If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis, please seek help immediately by calling 000 (Triple Zero). For anyone who is struggling, you can call the below helplines for support and advice: Lifeline 13 11 14, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800, NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

Forbes Police are the latest to join the state-wide Operation Stay-At-Home as COVID continues to spread across the Central West.

Penalties have significantly increased after police were granted extra powers by the Berejiklian government as the pandemic infiltrates the region. Breaching self-isolation rules, lying on a permit and lying to a contact tracer now carry $5,000 fines.

Superintendent Shane Jessep has confirmed local police will investigate claims of breaches of the public health orders and follow up.

The crackdown comes despite record amounts of calls to Crimestoppers over the past month especially as more members of the public continue to dob in thy neighbour for breaches.

Penalties are now as follows:
• $5,000 on the spot fine for breaching self-isolation rules;
• $5,000 on the spot fine for lying on a permit (already a criminal offence);
• $5,000 on the spot fine for lying to a contact tracer (already a criminal offence);
• $3,000 on the spot fine for breaching the two-person outdoor exercise/recreation rule; and
• $3,000 on the spot fine for breaching rules around entry into regional NSW for authorised work, inspecting real estate and travelling to your second home.

Jessep said that normal crime prevention and law enforcement will still be a priority and “if you have an emergency, please dial 000”. To report COVID breaches, please contact Crimestoppers 1800 333 000.

NSW Police last Saturday announced that Operation Stay-At-Home. Significantly, 1400 officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command will be dedicated to both static and mobile COVID-19 compliance operations on the state’s roads.

A further 500 Australian Defence Force troops, in addition to 300 deployed, will assist with compliance checks and patrols. The Central West can expect to start seeing a similar roll-out over the next few weeks.

With NSW going into lockdown this week, children from across Forbes Shire woke up last Monday morning to the familiar site of parents (and teachers) for a week of homeschool.

For Forbes Public School students Lexi and Violet Millerd, home-school is nothing new having had their first taste back in early 2020 when the COVID pandemic first broke.

“We have done home school before and I really enjoyed it,” said Lexi. “It was great and it never bothered me at all,” she said.

For Violet, last year was her first year at school and the disruption to Kindergarten for some while initially challenging eventually became a footnote in what was still a good year.

“I did miss my friends last year when we first heard about ‘Rona,” said Violet. “But dad was a great teacher so it was fun!” Lexi agreed.

LearnFromHome started across regional NSW this week for schools. Schools are still open for families who need it. Your school should contact you regarding LearnFromHome. Online resources are also available on https://fal.cn/3gGKw.

Get tested immediately if you or your child have any symptoms, and do not attend school. NSW Health: www.health.nsw.gov.au/

Visit https://fal.cn/3gGKv for the latest COVID-19 advice.

The Forbes Shire is under strict Stay-at-home orders along with the rest of regional NSW until 12.01am Sunday August 22nd 2021. Mayor of Forbes Shire, Phyllis Miller, would like everyone to remain calm and follow NSW Health guidelines.

“I want to encourage all of our community to go and get tested for COVID-19,” said Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

“Parkes has detected COVID in their sewage system and it is yet to be determined if there is a case in Parkes. The two towns are so closely linked we need to treat this as if we are one town,” Phyllis said.

COVID testing is set up at the Forbes Showground from 8am – 2pm daily with people urged to go and get tested if they are showing even the mildest of symptoms.

“We need to keep our community safe and get this under control,” she said.

“We need everyone to stay at home for the rest of this week. It is a reasonable excuse to leave your home for work – but only if it cannot be done from home. By all means continue to exercise but keep to the guidelines of exercising with your masks on and limiting it to two people together at one time.”

Forbes Shire Council administration office will be closed to the public during this time. The office is closed to the public but will continue to provide essential services within. Daroobalgie Waste Facility is closed to the public until further notice. Those residents who reside outside the urban collection area are asked to hold their waste until the landfill reopens to the public. Kerbside collection will also continue as scheduled.

“Council understands the frustration this closure may cause, however, it is in the interest of the community’s well-being and safety.”

In a real boost to the region, residents in Forbes, Orange and Dubbo are reaping the benefits of almost half a million dollars’ worth of state-of-the-art imaging equipment upgrades at the hospitals. Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) invested $450,000 to upgrade the three sites’ ultra-sound machines.

WNSWLHD Medical Imaging Services General Manager James Harvey said, “This provides an important boost to the region’s Medical Imaging services. We have a very thorough replacement program for our Medical Imaging equipment, this year alone we have replaced nearly $3.5 million worth of equipment across a range of sites including Orange, Dubbo, Forbes, Coonabarabran and Bourke.”

“We strive to ensure our Medical Imaging Departments and staff utilise the best and most up-to-date equipment as possible, leading to improved diagnostic outcomes for patients.”

All three new machines are operational and in use while the new unit at Forbes Hospital is providing patients in the area with more access to care – something many have been championing for some time.

Forbes Health Service Medical Imaging Manager, Jenny Webb was ecstatic with the news.

“Having world class, state-of-the-art imaging equipment in a rural community benefits all patients referred to our Medical Imaging Service. We can offer a wide variety of scan types that patients don’t need to travel elsewhere for – saving time, effort, money and transport,” she said.

“Any patient that requires an ultrasound, from within the hospital or a referral, can access Forbes Medical Imaging ultrasound services. Ultrasound uses no radiation and is excellent at visualising soft tissues such as organs, muscles, blood flows and commonly used for pregnancy.”

The equipment has been funded through a combination of leasing, trade-ins and capital funding. The WNSWLHD budget for 2020-21 is more than $1 billion, that’s $21 million more than the previous year.